A Match Made in Bed (Spinster Heiresses #2)(77)

He hopped off the pony and quickly harnessed it. His clothes were a bit of shambles but he still wore shoes and socks. She counted that as a success.

She climbed into the cart.

“Are we going home, friend?”

“Yes, yes, home.”

They rode in silence. In truth, Cassandra buzzed with frustration over Arabella. “I’m not going to end up like her,” she informed Logan.

“No, friend.”

“I’ve a good brain and sound mind.”

“Yes, friend.”

“I want to do something useful. I believe in ideas and knowledge.”

“Like us telling our stories?”

He had impressed her yesterday. She’d shared her favorite myth about Icarus, who flew too close to the sun. Logan had immediately understood and told her a story of an Indian boy who boasted too loudly that he could throw a ball farther than anyone else. Then a new boy had appeared and challenged him. The boy was actually a rabbit who had changed to teach him the dangers of pride.

Soren had been right. His son had a quick mind and it needed to be put to work.

They had discussed the issue over their pillows that morning. A tutor would have to be hired. Soren didn’t know if he wanted to send his son away; however, there was not a school in the village or anywhere close.

Cassandra, too, believed that sending Logan away to school would not be the wisest course of action for him.

A thought now struck her. At first, she pushed it away, but it came right back.

Her dream had been to create a literary salon where important ideas were shared.

But what if, instead, she created a school? A school that used modern ideas like Miss Edgeworth’s, such as educating both boys and girls?

What if the important ideas she was destined to share were not with adults who were already set in their ways, but with bright minds like Logan’s? What if she put Practical Education to the test?

The idea took flight in her mind. Suddenly, Cassandra could not wait to return home.

She found Soren out in the sheep shed where he had been observing the shearing. The bleating of animals prevented him from hearing her excited explanation of her idea. He took her outside where they could talk.

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m going build a school,” she informed him.

“A school?”

“Yes, like the sort Miss Edgeworth and her father encourage. And I must find the second volume of their work,” she said, making a mental note to herself. “Yes, that is what I shall do.”

“How are you going to build a school? I’m not being critical, Cassandra, but practical.”

“I have the garnets. I will sell them and buy books and whatever I need. Perhaps there is a building here at Pentreath we can use. Or a building in the village. I’d rather not use the old schoolroom upstairs. It is too small for what I envision.”

“What do you envision?”

“A wonderful school. I don’t care about the sex of the students but I am interested in their willingness to learn. I’ve thought of a good name for it. One that is positive and uplifting. The Dove School. What do you think?”

He was unimpressed.

She thought a moment more on it. “The Rising Dove School for Boys and Girls.”

Soren winced as if the second name was worse. Then he said, “How about the Dewsberry School? Because this will be your concept, Cassandra. You will have the running of it.”

“The Dewsberry School.” She liked it. “Everyone in the area will know exactly where it was located.”

“The name will also burnish the title,” Soren observed. “We will go from a reputation of being gamesters and spendthrifts to gentlemen, gentlewomen, and scholars.”

“Yes,” she agreed with enthusiasm. “This is something I wish to do.”

“Then do it, Cass. Do it with my blessing and make a gentleman out of that child.” He nodded for her to look up. Logan had climbed to the top of the sheep shed. He’d shucked off his shoes and stockings and walked the roof line.

“He will be hard to tame,” she predicted.

“I don’t want him to lose his spirit, but I want him to succeed in the world. Therefore, he is your first pupil.”

Her reply was to kiss him for being so generous and encouraging. “Now to make plans.” She set off for the house at a brisk pace, but then stopped and looked back at him. “Oh, and your mother knows about your father’s mistress. And, if you ever—” she started, pointing a finger for emphasis.

“Never,” he swore crossing his heart. “You are woman enough for me, love. It is all I can do to keep up with you. Now, go create your school.”

She threw him a kiss and hurried away.





Chapter 21




The Dewsberry School took over Cassandra’s imagination and her life. It gave her a sense of purpose. She used Miss Edgeworth’s thoughtful wisdom to prepare a philosophy for the school. She didn’t care if she had twenty pupils or only Logan. What mattered was opening minds.

The next weeks were a blur of activity. Mrs. Branwell ran the house. Cassandra would meet with her most mornings to discuss menus and the like and then the two women would go about their day.

Over time, a growing respect for each other began to form.